Page 13 - Bringing out the Potential In Our Children - Gardeners - Food Producers

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Now if you are going to start a brand new garden plot-

Put a layer of cardboard down to cover and smother the lawn or any
vegetation growing. This will turn it into compost which can be dug into the
garden. (Best done in fall and keep on over winter)

Time for some digging. Get out a garden fork. Let the kids start the process
and take turns with them to get it dug down 6” to 12”.
This is the time to build up and enrich your soil. The kids can bring in some
compost, shredded leaves or well-rotted manure can be a good addition to
your soil.

I want to put a good word in here for collecting leaves which are such a rich
addition to your garden. Look at nature, how leaves are shed in the fall to
break down and feed the soil for next year’s growth. Start your children
collecting them to feed their garden too!

No Dig Method – Start with your layer of cardboard or thick layer of

newspapers and instead of digging down build your garden bed up.

I use what is called the Lasagna gardening method (named because of its
layers). Kids love this method! They get to collect and spread different
layers in the garden then make little homes on top to put their new plants
in.

It’s made by putting down alternating layers of compost, old potting mix,
well-rotted manure, straw, shredded leaves or grass clippings. Water down
each section as you add it. Repeat until you have a garden bed that is
about 8 - 12” deep. Finish with a layer of straw or fine mulch on top to keep
the weeds down.

When you go to plant your layered garden pull some of the mulch back in a

row or dig holes in it to add some compost or potting soil. This is where you
will do your first plantings, letting the rest of the garden break down and
compost.